Patreon lets your followers and fans become your biggest supporters, financially speaking. Patreon founder, Jack Conte, would get millions of views on a YouTube video, and see only $100. Before Patreon, creators were actually losing money doing what they loved, despite having large audiences.
Now, Patreon cuts out the third parties that take most of your profits. They implemented and proved the theory that if you focus on creating content fans love, those followers will pay for it. This model frees you from third-party limitations that curb your creative freedom and take all your cash. Patreon is totally free to start. In fact, if you never get a patron on the platform, you’ll never pay a dime. With the following steps, you can learn how to start a Patreon and launch a campaign:
1. Start by registering for an account with an email or online account.
2. Next, go through the questions about the type of content you create. Do you make videos? Manage communities? Is your content 18+?
3. Choose which currency your patrons will see when they visit. Choose from US dollars, British Pounds, and Euros.
4. Connect Patreon to your social media and choose a custom URL.
5. Add a high-quality profile photo (at least 256 x 256 pixels) and cover image (1600 x 400 pixels).
6. Add a text and video introduction for what your channel is about. Remind people why they’re there. Some of your followers may not know what Patreon is.
7. Set up your tiers for how much money followers can give every month.
8. Set goals for your Patreon. Tell followers your goals (for patrons or monthly revenue) and what you’ll do once you reach each goal. For example, once you reach 1,000 patrons, you’ll do a live stream Q&A or release a new EP.
How to promote your Patreon
So, how to start a Patreon is out of the way. Now you need to drive traffic to it. Given that you probably have a following already, consider using marketing tools for this purpose. Here are some options to do that:
1. Create a landing page: Gather the people that love your content but aren’t sure about supporting you right now. Send them to a landing page that tells them all the benefits they get from what you do and how much work you put into it. You can either ask them to convert right away (request that they turn into patrons) or ask for their email instead. With an email, you’ll be able to send free content to their inbox and connect with them more. At the bottom of every email, you can add a call to action (CTA) to access patron-only content on Patreon.
2. Remind current fans via email: If you already have a list of your fans’ emails to update them on the goings-on of your work, consider using an email marketing tool like Constant Contact to keep in touch.
3. Share your Patreon on social: Social media is likely one of the most effective ways you get new fans. Share your Patreon page on your social media or use paid social media marketing options to get more awareness.
Consider running polls or surveys on your social media to get an idea of what to create for your launch. Once you’ve decided, you’re all set with the information you need to get started. Happy creating!
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